adj
Uncommon
ceremonial
seh-rih-MOH-nih-uhl
Ceremonial (adj) means relating to or used in a formal ceremony. Example: “The king wore his ceremonial robes for the coronation.”
adj
1
Relating to or used in a formal ceremony.
"“You must swear it. By Adamcos,” said Catweazle, drawing his ceremonial knife. “Crumbs! What's that?” asked Carrot, very taken with the knife."
— Richard Carpenter, Catweazle (1970)
"Philomena Guinea's black Cadillac eased through the tight, five o'clock traffic like a ceremonial car."
— Sylvia Plath (1963)
"The king wore his ceremonial robes for the coronation."
"The mayor cut the ribbon with a ceremonial pair of golden scissors."
"The sword is purely ceremonial and has never been used in battle."
noun
1
A formal ritual or set procedure used on official occasions.
"The opening ceremonial included a traditional dance."
"The ceremonial of the royal opening of parliament is full of ancient customs."
"Visitors admired the elaborate ceremonial surrounding the changing of the guard."
How to use ceremonial
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to formal ritual or official events, rather than everyday, practical use.
Common mistake
A "ceremonial" role or title is often symbolic, with no real power — e.g., a ceremonial head of state.
Common pairings
ceremonial role
ceremonial dress
ceremonial duties
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Word forms
- Plural
- ceremonials
- Comparative
- more ceremonial
- Superlative
- most ceremonial
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The king wore his _____ robes for the coronation.
Etymology
From Latin caerimonialis, related to ceremony.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for ceremonial
See all rhymes for ceremonial →Frequently asked questions
What does “ceremonial” mean?
The word “ceremonial” means relating to or used in a formal ceremony. In plain terms, relating to formal ritual or official events, rather than everyday, practical use.
How do you pronounce “ceremonial”?
“Ceremonial” is pronounced seh-rih-MOH-nih-uhl (/ˌsɛɹɪˈmoʊniəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “ceremonial” in a sentence?
Here is “ceremonial” used in a sentence: “The king wore his ceremonial robes for the coronation.”
What part of speech is “ceremonial”?
Depending on how it is used, “ceremonial” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “ceremonial” come from?
The word “ceremonial” comes from Latin. From Latin caerimonialis, related to ceremony.
Is “ceremonial” a common word?
“Ceremonial” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “ceremonial” have?
“Ceremonial” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to or used in a formal ceremony.
